Veterans Day is a day we remember the women and men who fought for the United States of America.
The first time a celebration used the term “Veterans Day” was in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized a “National Veterans Day” event for all veterans on Nov. 11, 1947, the department said.
The event was originally called Armistice Day, but later former U.S. Congressman Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill to change the name to Veterans Day, the department said. The bill was passed in 1954.
Wondering what is open and closed on the holiday? Here’s a list:
Government
Federal and state courts: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Municipal offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
Libraries: Closed
Public schools: Closed
Finance
The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Open
Banks: Most bank branches will be open, but check with your local bank.
Alcohol and recreational drugs
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Veterans Day.
Shopping
Retail stores: Most retail stores will be open, but check with your local retailer.
Stop & Shop: Open
Auburn Mall: Open
Holyoke Mall: Open
Hadley Mall: Open
Natick Mall: Open
Big Y: Open
Market Basket: Open
Price Rite: Open
Star Market: Open
Walmart: Open
Target: Open
Wegmans: Open
Safeway: Open
Costco: Open
CVS: Open
Walgreens: Open
Aldi: Open
Whole Foods: Open
Trader Joe’s: Open
Parcel
U.S. post offices: Closed
FedEx: Open
UPS: Closed
Transportation
Lowell RTA: Services will run on a Saturday schedule, according to its website.
MBTA: All services will operate on a regular schedule on these days, the MBTA said.
Merrimack Valley RTA: Will provide service on a Saturday schedule, according to its website. Routes 21–Andover Shuttle, 85-Lawrence Crosstown and 75-IRS/Raytheon will not run on Veterans Day.
MetroWest RTA: The buses will run on reduced service, according to its website.
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Services will run on a reduced weekday schedule, according to its website.
Worcester RTA: All services will run on a weekday schedule, according to its website.
